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Biomedical subjects

A Hjalmarson

Publications and source records attributed to A Hjalmarson.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Hemodynamic effects of the cardioselective beta-blocking agent metoprolol in acute myocardial infarction. A 24-hour catheterization study.

Hemodynamic changes were studied in ten patients with uncomplicated transmural myocardial infection during 24 hours on beta-blockade. The cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocking drug metoprolol was injected (15 mg i.v.) within the first 24 hours after onset of chest pain and was followed by oral therapy (25-50 mg at 6-hour intervals). There was a decrease in heart rate, systolic BP, and cardiac output, which was most marked after the injection. The stroke volume and diastolic BP for the whole group of patients remained unchanged. The pulmonary artery end diastolic pressure did not change significantly after the injection but a continuous fall was obtained in three out of four patients with initially elevated values. The preejection period, measured from the ECG and carotid pressure curve, as initially short and was prolonged in all patients after administration of the beta-blocking drug. It is concluded that the cardioselective beta-blocking drug metoprolol may be used in selected patients in the acute phase of myocardial infarction without danger of hemodynamic deterioration during the first 24 hours of therapy. The selection of patients can be based on clinical criteria. In this study signs of left heart failure, hypotension, poor peripheral circulation, bradycardia, and AV block were regarded as contraindications.

Acute Disease↗

Effect of chronic beta-adrenergic receptor blockade in congestive cardiomyopathy.

Adrenergic beta-blocking agents were given to 7 patients with advanced congestive cardiomyopathy who had tachycardia at rest (98 plus or minus 13 beats/min). The patients were on beta-adrenergic receptor blockade for 2 to 12 months (average 5-4 months). One patient was given alprenolol 50 mg twice daily and the other patients were given practolol 50 to 400 mg twice daily. Virus infection had occurred in 6 of the patients before the onset of symptoms of cardiac disease. All patients were in a steady state or were progressively deteriorating at the start of beta-adrenergic receptor blockade. Conventional treatment with digitalis and diuretics was unaltered or reduced during treatment with beta-blocking agents. An improvement was seen in their clinical condition shortly after administration of the drugs. Continued treatment resulted in an increase in physical working capacity and a reduction of heart size. Noninvasive investigations including phonocardiogram, carotid pulse curve, apex cardiogram, and echocardiogram showed improved ventricular function in all cases. The present study indicates that adrenergic beta-blocking agents can improve heart function in at lease some patients with congestive cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, it is suggested that increased catecholamine activity may be an important factor for the development of this disease, as has been shown in animal experiments.

Adult↗

Effects of the quaternary ammonium compound OX-572 on ventricular tachyarrhythmias complicating acute myocardial infarction.

Patients with acute myocardial infarction who developed defined ventricular tachyarrhythmias were randomly allocated to two groups. The patients (n=34) in one of the groups received the quaternary ammonium compound N,N-bis (phenylcarbamoylmethyl) dimethylammoniumchloride (QX-572) intravenously as an infusion of 8 mg/kg body weight over 30 minutes. The patients in the other group (n=33) received saline and acted as controls. The analysis of arrhythmias was based on a continuous electrocardiogram recorded in parallel to routine monitoring during the 24 hours after the start of infusion. Only the detection of ventricular tachycardia or the development of ventricular fibrillation on routine monitoring could induce a change in antiarrhythmic treatment. The incidence of patients with ventricular tachycardia recorded was significantly lower in the QX-572 group (38%) than in the control group (73%). About half the number of patients with ventricular tachycardia recorded on the continuous electrocardiogram were also detected by means of routine monitoring. The number of patients with various types of ventricular premature contractions (1-5/min, greater than 5/min, paired, multifocal, R on T), ventricular tachycardia, and rapid idioventricular rhythm were compared within successive one-hour periods. For all types of ventricular tachyarrhythmias except rapid idioventricular rhythm there was a lower incidence of arrhythmias in the QX-572 group...

Adult↗